Premier Rodney MacDonald will highlight Nova Scotia’s efforts to address the impact of climate change and discuss internal trade regulations when provincial premiers and territorial leaders meet in Vancouver this week. The premiers are having a working meeting of the Council of the Federation today, Jan. 28, followed by a climate change adaptation forum on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Nova Scotia is leading the country with its Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, the premier said. “The act recognizes that a healthy environment contributes to a healthy economy. We are one of the first jurisdictions in the country to set our environmental targets in legislation,” said Premier MacDonald. The premier also intends to raise the profile of the impact of rising sea levels because of climate change. “Rising sea levels are a serious issue for Nova Scotia and other provinces,” said Premier MacDonald. “The destruction of coastal communities and impact on local drinking water are just two of the concerns.” Discussions at the Council of the Federation meeting will also include internal trade. Nova Scotia will continue to advocate a national approach to address internal trade and labour mobility issues. “We have made progress on internal trade discussions and I’m hopeful that the provinces and territories will be able to finalize a mechanism that will better enable us to settle domestic trade disputes,” said Premier MacDonald. The province also supports a national approach to regulatory reform, and has established its own better regulation initiative. The Council of the Federation includes provincial and territorial premiers. Its winter meeting is a working meeting to discuss progress on issues that will be presented at the annual conference in July.read more

Woman accused of stealing horseA woman is facing charges after a horse was stolen from a Waterford-area property on Wednesday morning.In the early morning hours, someone removed the horse which was in a paddock area on the Cockshutt Road Townsend property.The horse was later located in Haldimand County and returned to the owner. It appeared to be in good health, Norfolk OPP said in a media release.A 30-year-old Norfolk County woman has been charged with theft under $5,000. She will appear in court at a later date to answer to the charges.Norfolk man faces chargesA report of a suspicious man at a property on Highway 24 in the Waterford area has led to charges against a Norfolk County man.Police went to the property on Thursday afternoon after receiving a report of someone attempting to remove an item from the property. A person was taken into custody at the scene.The same person had been seen at the property a day earlier, said police.A 25-year-old Norfolk County man has been charged with mischief, possession of break-in instruments, and two counts of disguise with intent. Man breaks into home while residents sleepingA noisy prowler left empty-handed after being confronted during a break and enter at a Mann Street home in Simcoe early Friday morning.Several residents in the home awoke to noise coming from the basement. The homeowner went to investigate and confronted a man who had forcibly entered the home. The resident was able to retrieve the property that had been taken.The suspect then fled the home in an unknown direction.Police were notified at about 3:45 a.m. The OPP canine unit assisted with the search for the suspect, but was unsuccessful.The suspect is described as a white man, six feet tall, 20 to 30 years of age, with a thin build. He has a scruffy face with short hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a dark baseball cap, blue hooded sweater, blue jeans and gloves.Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800- 222 -8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com.read more